Benzyl Side Chain Research Articles

The influence of side-chain halogenation on the self-assembly and hydrogelation of Fmoc-phenylalanine derivatives

Fmoc-protected aromatic amino acids, including Fmoc-phenylalanine (Fmoc-Phe), Fmoc-tyrosine (Fmoc-Tyr), and Fmoc-pentafluorophenylalanine (Fmoc-F5-Phe), have been shown to undergo efficient self-assembly and to promote hydrogelation in aqueous solvents. In order to probe the electronic and steric role of the benzyl side-chain in hydrophobic and π–π interactions during self-assembly, the hydrogelation behavior of monohalogenated (F, Cl, Br) Fmoc-Phe side-chain derivatives was assessed. Incorporation of single halogen substituents on the aromatic side-chain of Fmoc-Phe dramatically enhances the efficient self-assembly of these amino acid derivatives (relative to Fmoc-Phe) into amyloid-like fibrils that promote hydrogelation in aqueous solvents. The position of halogen substitution (ortho, meta, para) and the halogen itself (F, Cl, Br) exert a strong influence on the self-assembly rate and on the bulk rheological properties of the resultant hydrogel. These results demonstrate that minimal atomic substitutions can be used to tune self-assembly and gelation of small molecule hydrogelators.

One‐Pot Synthesis of Fluorinated 1‐Benzoyl‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolines from [2‐(o‐Alkynylphenyl)ethyl]amines by a Hydroamination/Oxidation Sequence

AbstractFluorinated 1‐benzoyl‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolines can easily be synthesized by a new one‐pot procedure from corresponding fluorinated [2‐(o‐alkynylphenyl)ethyl]amines in high yields. The one‐pot process consists of an initial [Ind2TiMe2]‐catalyzed intramolecular alkyne hydroamination and a subsequent Pd‐catalyzed oxidation of the benzyl side chain of the resulting hydroamination product. The process tolerates electron‐donating and ‐withdrawing substituents on the benzene ring that is converted into the benzoyl side chain of the products as well as ortho‐substitution.

Establishing the Binding Affinity of Organic Carboxylates to 15-Metallacrown-5 Complexes

The reaction of L-phenylalanine hydroxamic acid (H(2)L-pheHA) with copper(II) and lanthanide(III) salts yields 15-Metallacrown-5 structures of the general composition Ln(X)n[Cu(II)(L-pheHA)](5)((3-n)+) where X can represent a wide variety of anions. With five copper ions and one central lanthanide ion, the Ln[15-MC-5] complexes have multiple positions where these anionic guests may bind to the metallacrown host. In addition, these metallacrowns are amphiphilic, containing one face that is primarily hydrophobic (due to the five benzyl side chains which are oriented upon the same face of the molecule) and a face that is hydrophilic which has no impediment to solvent access. While it has been known that aromatic carboxylates bind preferentially to the hydrophobic face and short chain aliphatic carboxylates bind preferentially to the hydrophilic face, there have been no quantitative assessments of the stability of these host-guest complexes. Using Isothermal Calorimetry (ITC) we have determined the binding constants for several carboxylate anions to a variety of metallacrown complexes. The affinities of anions that coordinate to the lanthanide ion on the hydrophobic face are related to the hydrophobicities of the guests, with higher binding strength observed for the more hydrophobic carboxylates. Central metal such as La(III) or Nd(III) which are nine coordinate are able to accommodate two guests on the hydrophobic side; however, central metals such as Gd(III) or Dy(III) which are eight coordinate are limited to encapsulating one guest into the hydrophobic pocket. A second guest, bound to the hydrophilic face is often observed with these 8-coordinate lanthanides. The significantly weaker second binding constant between benzoate and Gd(III)[15-MC-5] supports the model that the second benzoate binds to the central metal through the hydrophilic side. Unlike the Gd(III)[15-MC-5], the higher binding constant of the second benzoate with La(III)[15-MC-5] is consistent with the crystallographic model which shows that the second guest binds to the hydrophobic side.

A Direct and Efficient Total Synthesis of the Tubulin-Binding Agents Ceratamine A and B; Use of IBX for a Remarkable Heterocycle Dehydrogenation

The total synthesis of the tubulin-binding agents ceratamine A and B is reported, along with des-methyl analogs, via a synthetic route that is high-yielding and operationally efficient. The synthetic route involved a Beckmann rearrangement to form an azepine ring precursor, a Knoevenagel condensation to install the benzylic side chain, and an effective imidazole annulation onto an alpha-aminoketone precursor with a protected S-methylisothiourea. Final dehydrogenation proved remarkably facile using IBX.

Ten-membered cyclotripeptides

The 10-membered cyclotripeptide cyclo(-βAla-Phe-Pro-) (III) has been synthesized by cyclizing under mild conditions the linear precursor βAla-Phe-Pro-Onp·TFA. Crystal and molecular structure of (III) is reported and compared with that of the related models cyclo-(-MeAnt-Phe-Pro-) (I) and cyclo(-Hyb-Phe-Pro-) (II). Crystals of (III) are orthorhombic, C2221, with a= 8.224(1), b= 14.056(2), c= 28.559(3)A and Z = 8. The backbone of (III) is characterized by a cis-cis-trans conformation. Both the βAla-Phe and Phe-Pro peptide bonds are cis with ω values of – 14.4° and –0.1°, whereas the Pro-βAla junction exhibits trans conformation with high deviation from planarity (ω= 158.6°). The pyrrolidine ring has C2-Cβ-endo-Cγ-exo conformation and the benzylic side chain is extended toward the Phe-CO group. The molecular conformation of (III) shows a striking resemblance to that of the heterodetic model (II) and strongly differs from the all-cis conformation shown by the homodetic analogue (I).

Hydrophobic Side-Chain Length Determines Activity and Conformational Heterogeneity of a Vancomycin Derivative Bound to the Cell Wall of Staphylococcus aureus

Disaccharide-modified glycopeptides with hydrophobic side chains are active against vancomycin-resistant enterococci and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The activity depends on the length of the side chain. The benzyl side chain of N-(4-fluorobenzyl)vancomycin (FBV) has the minimal length sufficient for enhancement in activity against vancomycin-resistant pathogens. The conformation of FBV bound to the peptidoglycan in whole cells of S. aureus has been determined using rotational-echo double resonance NMR by measuring internuclear distances from the (19)F of FBV to (13)C and (15)N labels incorporated into the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The hydrophobic side chain and aglycon of FBV form a cleft around the pentaglycyl bridge. FBV binds heterogeneously to the peptidoglycan as a monomer with the (19)F positioned near the middle of the pentaglycyl bridge, approximately 7 A from the bridge link. This differs from the situation for N-(4-(4-fluorophenyl)benzyl)vancomycin complexed to the peptidoglycan where the (19)F is located at the end of pentaglycyl bridge, 7 A from the cross-link.

Characterization of smallest active monomeric penicillin V acylase from new source: A yeast, Rhodotorula aurantiaca (NCIM 3425)

An intracellular monomeric penicillin V acylase (PVA) of 36,000 Da exhibiting p I of 4.19, purified from newly identified yeast source, Rhodotorula aurantiaca (NCIM 3425). The enzyme was purified by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The enzyme showed optimal activity at 45 °C and retained 80% activity after incubation at 45 °C and pH 5.5 for 1 h. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 5.5 and was very stable between pH 5.5–6.5 with optimum stability at pH 6.0. It exhibited 50% of its original activity after 30 min incubation at 60 °C. Enzyme hydrolyzed substrates with benzyl side chain but preferred penicillin V as primary substrate. N-terminally located serine supports the fact that it belongs to Ntn (N-terminal nucleophile)-hydrolase superfamily. The initial ten amino acid residues of R. aurantiaca PVA were identical to the initial sequence of NADH dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.99.3); however the enzyme lacks dehydrogenase activity. EGTA, EDTA, hexane and ethyl acetate stabilized the activity where as small chain alcohols inhibited it. 1,4-Dioxane, THF (tetrahydrofurane), phenol and benzyl alcohol severely inhibited enzyme activity while BME and DTT increased it. Tween 80 and Tween 20 highly enhanced the activity where as SDS and Triton X-100 inhibited it.

4-Benzyl-1H-imidazoles with Oxazoline Termini as Histamine H3 Receptor Agonists

Research on the therapeutic applications of the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) has traditionally focused on antagonists/inverse agonists. In contrast, H3R agonists have received less attention despite their potential use in several disease areas. The lower availability of H3R agonists not only hampers their full therapeutic exploration, it also prevents an unequivocal understanding of the structural requirements for H3R activation. In the light of these important issues, we present our findings on 4-benzyl-1H-imidazole-based H3R agonists. Starting from two high throughput screen hits (10 and 11), the benzyl side chain was altered with lipophilic groups using combinatorial and classical chemical approaches (compounds 12-31). Alkyne- or oxazolino-substituents gave excellent affinities and agonist activities up to the single digit nM range. Our findings further substantiate the growing notion that basic ligand sidechains are not necessary for H 3R activation and reveal the oxazolino group as a hitherto unexplored functional group in H3R research.

Synthesis and antitubercular activity of 7-(R)- and 7-(S)-methyl-2-nitro-6-(S)-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyloxy)-6,7-dihydro-5H-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazines, analogues of PA-824

Nitroimidazoles such as PA-824 and OPC-67683 are currently in clinical development as members of a promising new class of therapeutics for tuberculosis. While the antitubercular activity of these compounds is high, they both suffer from poor water solubility thus complicating development. We determined the single crystal X-ray structure of PA-824 and found a close packing of the nitroimidazoles facilitated by a pseudoaxial conformation of the p-trifluoromethoxybenzyl ether. To attempt to disrupt this tight packing by destabilizing the axial preference of this side chain, we prepared the two diastereomers of the 7-methyl-nitroimidazo-oxazine. Determination of the crystal structure of the 7-(S)-methyl derivative (5, cis) revealed that the benzylic side chain remained pseudoaxial while the 7-(R)-methyl derivative (6, trans) adopted the desired pseudoequatorial conformation. Both derivatives displayed similar activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but neither showed improved aqueous solubility, suggesting that inherent lattice stability is not likely to be a major factor in limiting solubility. Conformational analysis revealed that all three compounds have similar energetically accessible conformations in solution. Additionally, these results suggest that the nitroreductase that initially recognizes PA-824 is somewhat insensitive to substitutions at the 7-position.

Catalysis by the Isolated Tryptophan Tryptophylquinone-Containing Subunit of Aromatic Amine Dehydrogenase Is Distinct from Native Enzyme and Synthetic Model Compounds and Allows Further Probing of TTQ Mechanism

Para-substituted benzylamines are poor reactivity probes for structure-reactivity studies with TTQ-dependent aromatic amine dehydrogenase (AADH). In this study, we combine kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) with structure-reactivity studies to show that para-substituted benzylamines are good reactivity probes of TTQ mechanism with the isolated TTQ-containing subunit of AADH. Contrary to the TTQ-containing subunit of methylamine dehydrogenase (MADH), which is catalytically inactive, the small subunit of AADH catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a variety of amine substrates. Observed rate constants are second order with respect to substrate and inhibitor (phenylhydrazine) concentration. Kinetic studies with para-substituted benzylamines and their dideuterated counterparts reveal KIEs (>6) larger than those observed with native AADH (KIEs approximately unity). This is attributed to formation of the benzylamine-derived iminoquinone requiring structural rearrangement of the benzyl side chain in the active site of the native enzyme. This structural reorganization requires motions from the side chains of adjacent residues (which are absent in the isolated small subunit). The position of Phealpha97 in particular is responsible for the conformational gating (and hence deflated KIEs) observed with para-substituted benzylamines in the native enzyme. Hammett plots for the small subunit exhibit a strong correlation of structure-reactivity data with electronic substituent effects for para-substituted benzylamines and phenethylamines, unlike native AADH for which a poor correlation is observed. TTQ reduction in the isolated subunit is enhanced by electron withdrawing substituents, contrary to structure-reactivity studies reported for synthetic TTQ model compounds in which rate constants are enhanced by electron donating substituents. We infer that para-substituted benzylamines are good reactivity probes of TTQ mechanism with the isolated small subunit. This is attributed to the absence of structural rearrangement prior to H-transfer that limits the rate of TTQ reduction by para-substituted benzylamines in native enzyme.

Artemisinin and a Series of Novel Endoperoxide Antimalarials Exert Early Effects on Digestive Vacuole Morphology

Artermisinin and its derivatives are now the mainstays of antimalarial treatment; however, their mechanism of action is only poorly understood. We report on the synthesis of a novel series of epoxy-endoperoxides that can be prepared in high yields from simple starting materials. Endoperoxides that are disubstituted with alkyl or benzyl side chains show efficient inhibition of the growth of both chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. A trans-epoxide with respect to the peroxide linkage increases the activity compared to that of its cis-epoxy counterpart or the parent endoperoxide. The novel endoperoxides do not show a strong interaction with artemisinin. We have compared the mechanism of action of the novel endoperoxides with that of artemisinin. Electron microscopy reveals that the novel endoperoxides cause the early accumulation of endocytic vesicles, while artemisinin causes the disruption of the digestive vacuole membrane. At longer incubation times artemisinin causes extensive loss of organellar structures, while the novel endoperoxides cause myelin body formation as well as the accumulation of endocytic vesicles. An early event following endoperoxide treatment is the redistribution of the pH-sensitive probe LysoSensor Blue from the digestive vacuole to punctate structures. By contrast, neither artemisinin nor the novel endoperoxides caused alterations in the morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum nor showed antagonistic antimalarial activity when they were used with thapsigargin. Analysis of rhodamine 123 uptake by P. falciparum suggests that disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential occurs as a downstream effect rather than as an initiator of parasite killing. The data suggest that the digestive vacuole is an important initial site of endoperoxide antimalarial activity.

Comparison of collision-induced dissociation and electron-induced dissociation of singly protonated aromatic amino acids, cystine and related simple peptides using a hybrid linear ion trap–FT-ICR mass spectrometer

The gas-phase fragmentation reactions of singly protonated aromatic amino acids, their simple peptides as well as simple models for intermolecular disulfide bonds have been examined using a commercially available hybrid linear ion trap-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) reactions within the linear ion trap are compared with electron-induced dissociation (EID) reactions within the FT-ICR cell. Dramatic differences are observed between low-energy CID (which occurs via vibrational excitation) and EID. For example, the aromatic amino acids mainly fragment via competitive losses of NH(3) and (H(2)O+CO) under CID conditions, while side-chain benzyl cations are major fragment ions under EID conditions. EID also appears to be superior in cleaving the S-S and S-C bonds of models of peptides containing an intermolecular disulfide bond. Systematic studies involving fragmentation as a function of electron energy reveal that the fragmentation efficiency for EID occurs at high electron energy (more than 10 eV) compared with the low-electron energy (less than 0.2 eV) typically observed for electron capture dissociation fragmentation. Finally, owing to similarities between the types of fragment ions observed under EID conditions and those previously reported in ultraviolet photodissociation experiments and the electron-ionization mass spectra, we propose that EID results in fragmentation via electronic excitation and vibrational excitation. EID may find applications in analyzing singly charged molecular ions formed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Imidazoquinoxalinones, Imidazole Analogues of Pyrroloiminoquinone Marine Natural Products

This report describes the synthesis and biological activity of imidazoquinoxalines, benzimidazole-based analogues of indole-based pyrroloiminoquinone marine natural products. Our analogues consist of series 1, which possesses the ethylene tether and extended amidine feature found in the pyrroloiminoquinone natural products, and series 2, which also has the ethylene tether but with an electrostatically stabilized iminoquinone rather than a resonance stabilized iminoquinone (i.e., extended amidine). The biological properties of series 1 analogues, bearing electron-rich side chain rings (indole and phenol), display cytostatic and cytotoxic properties similar to that of the pyrroloiminoquinone natural products. In contrast, COMPARE analysis suggests that analogues bearing benzyl and phenethyl side chains possess a different cytotoxicity mechanism. Hollow fiber assays of analogs of 1 indicate promising antitumor activity and acceptable levels of toxicity. One analogue of 2 is active only against breast cancer cell lines, but the cellular target is as yet unknown.

Synthesis and Characterisation of a Multiphosphorylated Phosphophoryn Repeat Motif; H-[Asp-(Ser(P))2]3-Asp-OH

Protein phosphorylation is a critical mechanism in the regulation of cellular biochemical pathways and phosphopeptides can play an important role in determining function. However, the use of phosphopeptides especially multiphosphorylated peptides is hampered by their low abundance, difficulty in isolation from biological samples and in their chemical synthesis. Here we describe meth- odologies for the Fmoc synthesis, purification and mass spectral analysis of the multiphosphorylated sequence H- (Asp-(Ser(P))2)3-Asp-OH from phosphophoryn a protein involved in dentine mineralization. Critical steps in the synthesis of phosphophoryn using Fmoc-Ser(PO3Bzl,H)- OH as the building block were double acylation steps for each residue, alternating HBTU and HATU as the acylating agents and synthesis on a chlorotrityl resin which was essential for complete removal of the benzyl-side chain protecting groups. The synthetic phosphophoryn was only effectively purified by anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography as both alkaline and acid buffers failed to aid in purification by reversed phase HPLC. MALDI-TOF analysis of phosphophoryn was achieved with good sensi- tivity (20 fmol/ml) and resolution using the DNA matrix 3-hydroxypicolinic acid, whereas typical protein/peptide matrices failed to provide mass spectra. The synthetic phosphophoryn peptide was found to bind calcium, binding 6 mol of calcium per mole of peptide. In conclusion the methodology described here can be easily adopted for the synthesis and analysis of a wide variety of multiphosph- orylated peptides.

Double versus single helical structures of oligopyridine-dicarboxamide strands. Part 2: The role of side chains

A series of heptameric oligoamides comprising 4-alkoxy-substituted 2,6-diaminopyridine and 2,6-pyridine-dicarbonyl units have been synthesized using convergent methods. The hybridization of these compounds into double helical dimers was studied in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy in CDCl 3 or DMSO- d 6 at various concentrations, and in the solid state using X-ray crystallographic analysis. Both solid state and solution data suggest that these compounds follow identical hybridization schemes. In CDCl 3, the oligomers possess dimerization constants considerably (up to 2000-fold) higher than related compounds having no alkoxy substituents on their 2,6-diaminopyridine units. The origin of this effect can be in part interpreted as a result of interactions between the 4-alkoxy side chains when they are present on all pyridine rings. For example, 4-benzyloxy-substituted oligomer 2 has a higher dimerization constant than 4-decyloxy and 4-methoxy-substituted analogues 1 and 3. The crystal structure of 2 reveals multiple aromatic–aromatic interactions between the benzyl side chains, both face-to-face and edge-to-face at various angles surrounding the duplex. In the solid state, these double helices are stacked on top of each other to form long channels filled with water molecules. The 4-methoxy and 4-decyloxy-substituted analogues 1 and 3 have similar dimerization constants, showing that interactions between side chains are not significant between purely aliphatic residues. Consequently, the high stability of the double helices formed by 1 and 3 compared to related compounds having alkoxy substituents on their 2,6-pyridine-dicarbonyl units only does not find its origin in interactions between side chains but in the direct effect of the alkoxy substituents upon main chain aryl–aryl interactions.

Unimolecular chemistry of metal ion-coordinated α-dipeptide radicals

The Li + complexes of the isomeric α-dipeptide radicals H 2N CH C( O) NH CH 2 COOH ( GlyGly) and H 2N CH 2 C( O) NH CH COOH (GlyGly ) are formed in the gas phase from the isomeric complexes [PheGly + Li] + and [GlyPhe + Li] +, respectively, via homolytic cleavage of the corresponding benzyl side chains. The isomers undergo distinctively different reactions upon collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) and, hence, represent unique, non-interconverting species. The investigation of deuterated isotopomers and of dipeptide radicals with Ala residues permits complete elucidation of the dissociation pathways of the radical complexes. The majority of reactions observed are promoted by the radical site, with the location of the unpaired electron playing an important role in the types of reactions taking place. Analogous differences are found for dilithiated complexes of GlyGly and GlyGly , in which the COOH termini are derivatized to COO −Li + salt bridges. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the lithiated and dilithiated α-dipeptide radicals have distonic character; the radical is largely localized on the N- or C-terminal α-C atom and the charge is largely localized on the metal ions. In the most stable conformers, the Li + ion(s) are bound between the amide carbonyl and C-terminal carbonyl (or carboxylate) groups. Theory predicts a higher thermodynamic stability for the complexes of the N-terminal radical GlyGly, as reflected by the significantly higher yield, with which these complexes are formed (from their PheGly precursors), compared to the GlyGly complexes.

Isotactic Polyethylenimines Induce Formation ofl-Amino Acids in Transamination

Isotactic polyethylenimines with (S)-benzyl side chains were synthesized from 4-(S)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolines. When alpha-keto acids were subjected to transamination in the presence of this polymer, and a pyridoxamine coenzyme modified with hydrophobic chains, enantioselectivity toward the natural isomer (l > d) was observed, followed by racemization of the amino acid products. However, the racemization did not occur when the coenzyme was covalently attached to the polymer. [reaction: see text]

Synthesis and anthelmintic activity of substituted ( R)-phenyllactic acid containing cyclohexadepsipeptides

The substituted ( R)-phenyllactic acid containing cyclohexadepsipeptides (CHDPs) represent novel enniatin derivatives with strong in vivo activities against the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus Rudolphi in sheep. 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis revealed for the substituted ( R)-phenyllactic acid containing CHDPs one major conformer with an unsymmetrically folded conformation lacking a cis-amide bond. A correlation between the substitution pattern and its anthelmintic activity was found. Here we report on a simple total synthetic pathway of the precursor for this particular type of CHDPs and an efficient modification of the benzylic side chain ( R-PhLac 2).

Synthesis of (Z)-Alkene and (E)-Fluoroalkene-Containing Diketopiperazine Mimetics Utilizing Organocopper-Mediated Reduction−Alkylation and Diastereoselectivity Examination Using DFT Calculations

We have carefully examined the organocopper-mediated reduction-alkylation of gamma-acetoxy or gamma,gamma-difluoro-alpha,beta-unsaturated-delta-lactams for the synthesis of (Z)-alkene- or (E)-fluoroalkene-containing diketopiperazine mimetics. Reduction of acetates 2, 12, 14, and difluorolactam 18 with higher-order cuprate reagents (Me3CuLi2 x LiI x 3 LiBr), followed by trapping the resulting metal dienolate with an electrophile in a one-pot procedure gave alpha-alkylated-beta,gamma-unsaturated-delta-lactams in good yields. Because of side-chain steric repulsion, we found that alkylation using relatively large electrophiles such as BnBr gave mostly 3,6-trans isomers by kinetic trapping of metal enolates. On the other hand, MeI-mediated alkylations predominantly provided the unexpected 3,6-cis isomers despite the presence of a bulky benzyl side chain. Based on density functional theory calculations, we concluded that formation of the 3,6-cis isomers was due to the occurrence of oxa-pi-allyllithium complexes 29 and 31.

The synthesis of alternative diketopiperazines as potential RGD mimetics

Alternative RGD mimetics-with the exception of glycine-c(Arg-Asp) 1, c(Arg-Glu) 2 and c[Arg-Asp(Phe-OH)] 3 were synthesized. The DKPs were prepared on solid phase with orthogonal protection allowing further derivatization in solution. During solution phase cyclization in NH(3)/methanol, the side chain benzyl ester group of H-Arg(Tos)-Asp(OBzl)-OMe and H-Arg(Tos)-Glu(OBzl)-OMe suffer transesterification, while beta-t-butyl or beta-cyclohexyl esters are stable under the same conditions. In spite of the simple structure, all compounds bind selectively to the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin receptor, 3 showing the highest affinity with an IC(50) value of 0.74 microM value. On the other hand only 3 binds with measurable activity to the alpha(IIb)beta(3) receptor (IC(50) 159 microM). The binding affinities seem to be in accordance with the distances between the arginine guanidino and the aspartic acid carboxyl group in extended conformation determined by semiempirical geometry optimization.